Do You Use Free File Archive Programs? I.E. 7-Zip

Revisions:
12-30-12: Initial release.

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The other day I was watching a video tutorial my friend was using about how to install custom maps for Call of Duty: World at War. During the video, he was showing the user how to extract these map files from a .rar file, and I noticed that he was using an expired version of the WinRAR shareware version.

It was past the 30 days limit, and it had that annoying nagging screen that prompts you to register/buy the program, otherwise it keeps on nagging you forever.

[How To] Burn a PS2 Game (From Torrent) To DVD Using DVD Decrypter

Foreword:  As you go through this tutorial, some people may question whether or not this is legal to do, which is make backups of your PS2 games.  Well, here is the short story of it all.  If you own a store bought game, you can make a backup copy of it.  The DMCA may say otherwise, but it all boils down to fair right usage.  If you make a copy of that retail game and sell the copy, then that is piracy and illegal.

If you download a PS2 game in which you do not own a retail version, then that is piracy again. Follow the law.  Play by the rules.  Play with a conscience mind.  The Underground Staff does not support piracy, and neither should you.  Thank you.  ~ Versatile

Revisions:

6-27-09:  Another classic tutorial re-written to new standards.

1-03-09: Deleted the video since it needs to be re-done. Minor changes. For some reason, there were NERO references.

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Introduction

Did you know you can make backups of your PS2 games (for legal purposes of course) to preserve your original game?  Well, yes you can.  What do you do if your favorite game has gotten scratched up over the years?  Do you want to go out and buy another copy of it?  Oh wait, Gamestop doesn’t have that game anymore?  What are you going to do?

WinRAR – Extracting ISO Mistakes

I am writing this post because I am frustrated with the amount of novices who use WinRAR and ask:

“Dear Versatile1,

I have just downloaded a PS2 game.  It comes with X amount of RAR files.  I proceed to extract the first file and at the end it gives me another RAR file.  I extract this file, only to see DATA files and SLUS files and the like.  How do I burn this?  Where is my .ISO file?”

*Versatile1 Bangs Head Against Wall*

This is where I bang my head against the wall, because you have the .iSO file in your face, but you don’t even realize it.  When you install WinRAR, by default it may associate all .ISO files as a WinRAR archive.  WinRAR will allow you to extract this file, and this is exactly what is happening here.

Please go to the Options -> Settings -> Integration Tab and you will see all the file associations.  Unselect the .ISO file, and you are good to go.  Now you won’t ever be confused because you will see the .ISO file as a regular file, and not a WinRAR file.  No more mistake extracting something that you shouldn’t.

If you have been redirected to this article, then Versatile1 is disappointed in your computer ability.

[How To] Make WinRAR Not Recognize ISO Files

This post is dedicated to commentor “Harrison”, for it is about time I talk about this than never at all. As we all know, lots of files on the Internet that can be downloaded will need to be extracted by some kind of unzipping utility.

There are a lot of good programs like 7zip, Winrar, WinZip, and WinAce. I use WinRAR because its easy, and I have a free corporate edition from the company a long time ago. 😛

Now, the problem I see occurring in the PS2 threads are people who download an ISO file, and by the act of God, believe that what they have isn’t an ISO file, but a regular RAR or similar compressed file. Well, guess what? You have WinRAR associated with your ISO files, and because of this, you are unzipping the ISO file when you really shouldn’t.

This is how you can fix the situation:

1) Open WinRAR.

2) Go to Options -> Settings.

3) Go to the Integrations tab.

4) Unselect ISO checkbox if it is checked and select OK.

Now you are done! No more confusion. Good luck on your unzipping journey. 😛